Branco Prata Love Shoot

Sometimes it amazes me that I’ve been working in this little wedding blog industry for three years now. I remember when I started, and I would go on Twitter, and all these other bloggers would be chatting away like the cheerleaders at the cool table. But it turned out, that unlike every John Hughes movie I ever saw, these particular cool kids were more than happy to let me ‘sit’ with them, and in no time I found myself making friends. Some I have been lucky enough to meet in person (or even just by phone) since then, others not yet, but as I have watched this little community of talented people rise to great heights and become significant industry names, I feel so proud of them. Plus, I get such a kick out of having these industry friends all over the world. Sofia from Branco Prata was one of the first I started following, and since then it has been such a pleasure to see the wedding business she has built with her partner Andre (he does the photography, she does the flowers & styling) thrive, both in their home country of Portugal and overseas. I never fail to be seduced by their gorgeous work (check out, for example, this dreamy e-shoot and this fab invitation download Sofia did especially for SBB). But today, Sofia and Andre are on the other side of the lens, courtesy of the awesome Anneli Marinovich, who caught up with the pair on a recent trip to Portugal. No props, no gimmicks, just golden hour on golden sands, and a whole lot of love. :) Read More

Spring Engagement Shoot

I can’t think of a more perfect shoot to share with you today, as we head into the Easter weekend. Easter has kind of sneaked up on me this year, but I’ve decided to take tomorrow off (for once) and try to switch off and relax a bit. Before I do, I’m so excited to share this spring styled engagement shoot from awesome photographer Louise Vorster with you. Best of all, the bride-to-be Nicole is a huge fan of SouthBound Bride – which obviously makes us a big fan of hers – especially since she pulled together such an adorable set-up to celebrate her upcoming marriage to fiance Andre. I am especially smitten by the little chicks – aren’t they the cutest? I know that Easter isn’t really spring in SA, but if it gives you an excuse to grab your loved one and set up a super sweet pastelly country style picnic, I say do it. And even better if you can get a photographer like Louise to capture it all perfectly.Read More

It’s a Beautiful Day

It’s Wednesday, and although I have a kickass wedding to share with you later, I am starting the day with an incredible couple shoot. With pictures so lovely that I get actual goosebumps every time I look at them, such is their loveliness. Durban photographer Fiona Clair is fast becoming a fave of mine, and she has outdone herself with this couple shoot taken of Tessa and Wayne after their wedding day, with their BEYOND adorable family. (Seriously, I would consider having children if you could guarantee they’d turn out as cute as these three boys.) They have a special story, and everything in this shoot is just perfect – the light, the backdrop, that special glow – for a celebration of their new life together. I also love that this was Tessa’s response to some disappointment with her actual wedding photos, because for one reason or another, sometimes that happens. It must be difficult, but if this shoot proves anything, it’s that your big day doesn’t have to be the only day you can rock a photoshoot (or a big white dress). And there’s no question Tessa and Wayne will treasure these pics in the years to come – congrats to all of you!Read More

Wine Farm Engagement Shoot

Almost thirteen years I’ve been living overseas now (how the hell did that happen?). People at home often ask if I get homesick, and the truth is, mostly I don’t. Not that I don’t love my home country or miss my family, but I think mostly if you just don’t indulge it, it goes away. Although someone should have told that to me three months ago when I was on a solo road trip through Limpopo and Enya’s Exile came on the car stereo (ugly cry deluxe), or about five minutes after I finished watching Invictus. Seeing today’s engagement shoot was another one of those moments. Not only are Kara and Lance a truly lovely couple, but they recreated their engagement on Lance’s family farm, Anura (where our Real Life Bride, Cheryl, was also married). It brought rushing back to me the absolutely breathtaking, awe-demanding beauty of the Cape winelands, and what it was like to wake up there every day for my four years at university. It sort of made me hurt a little, right in my heart, the way you do when you see your first love again. But in a good way, I think. It’s a tribute to Vibe Photography that the pics are not only a glowing keepsake of Kara and Lance’s pre-wedding happiness, but a celebration of the countryside they love so well. Perfection. Enjoy. Now, ahem, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to play some Toto. (Oh, and speaking of Toto, how CUTE is their dog?)Read More

Motor Museum Engagement Shoot

After a super chic wedding this morning, I have a lovely engagement shoot for you this afternoon! I’ve only ever driven past the Wijnland Motor Museum in Paarl, but what a photographer’s paradise it is! I love the background that the old cars create for these gorgeous pictures by Chrstine Watters, and the couple, Glenn and Viv, make amazing models – isn’t it the best when you can see how comfortable two people are together, and how they make each other smile? So darn cute. Thanks for sharing this, Christine!Read More

Dreamy Park Engagement Shoot

I am thrilled about this post, you guys! Thrilled, with a capital TH. One of the sheer pleasures I have in working in this wedding industry, apart from connecting brides and vendors, and hearing and telling your stories, is to work with photographers who take my breath away. Many of them are in South Africa, but today I’m featuring the work of a Portuguese duo who have not only wowed me with their collective styling and photographic genius, but have become dear online friends as well (hopefully to be realised in real life too, one day!). Andre and Sofia from Branco Prata are just the king and queen of  romantic, dreamy pics, and I can’t believe my luck that they’ve agreed to share some of that with you all today. You know, I love a shoot with props, but this little e-session shows that with the right photographer, even a simple stroll through a park can result in some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen. Seriously, I could have shared dozens with you – it was so hard to choose! But here are my favourites of the lovely Patricia and Andre, a doctor and nurse who were married in a beautiful wedding in Porto in June. Andre and Sofia – thank you so much for gracing these pages with your loveliness! It’s always such a pleasure working with you! (Psst! You can see more of this exquisite e-sesh right here.)Read More

At Home Couple Shoot

How do you celebrate a new chapter in your life? A party? A special meal? Champagne? Jewellery? I’ve been thinking about this recently, because the fact is that I’m rubbish at doing it. There have been huge changes in my life over the past year, and the truth is that I haven’t really marked any of them, which I don’t think is a good thing, because marking changes in our lives is one of the foundations of our society. I mean, weddings – that’s what we’re all here for, right? Anyway, today’s couple have the right idea. This isn’t an engagement, but a special celebration of a new chapter their lives, and I love how personal it is. Eugene and Thia have been married for almost two years, and recently bought their first house (as opposed to flat/apartment) together. They decided to have photographer Michelle Joubert-Martin (who has just moved back herself from London to Cape Town) capture them chilling out in their new home, and it’s clear that after the ‘I do’s they’re still very much in love!Read More